Learning objectives
The course aims to achieve the following objectives in relation to specific educational indicators:
a. Knowledge and understanding: The course aims to provide keys to understanding the main debates relating to the postcolonial era in Africa, the challenges of the African state and more generally theories on postcoloniality.
b. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding. At the end of the course students will have acquired a good critical ability in interpreting historical and contemporary events in postcolonial Africa and from Africa; and will have acquired familiarity with the key terminology in the field of African Studies.
c. Autonomy of judgement. At the end of the course, students will develop critical skills in discerning how certain information about the continent has been constructed and how it has been influenced by historical and identity processes.
d. Ability to learn. Students will learn through lectures, group work, individual analysis and discussion of the topics covered in class. During the course, students will also learn how to write blogs on current issues in Africa.
Prerequisites
None.
Course unit content
This course explores debates over key postcolonial political, economic and sociocultural dynamics in sub-Saharan Africa. It encourages students to think critically about dominant representations of the subcontinent in the Global North, and moving beyond the dichotomy of ‘good news’ versus ‘bad news’ often associated with African issues, to instead understand different co-existing accounts in the postcoloniality. In particular, the first part of the course will focus on analysing the African state and actors from the second half of 20th century (era of independence) to the present, while the second part of the course will investigate relevant dominant debates that shape the contemporary African public sphere, from resource grab, to globalisation, to morality and LGBT rights, to media and social media, youth and activism.
Full programme
More specifically the course will cover the following topics:
a) Independence of African states from colonial powers: processes, actors and results.
b) The democratization process and its challenges.
c) Politics, economics and socio-cultural issues in postcolonial Africa
d) Theories on decolonization and the main authors.
e) Origins and history of the representation of Africa in the Western imagination
Bibliography
a) Book chapters and journal articles selected by the course convenor.
b) I sistemi politici dell'Africa indipendente, Mario Zamponi, Carocci, Roma 2020.
c) Parlare d'Africa. 50 parole chiave. Luca Jourdan e Karin Pallaver, Carocci, Roma 2021.
d) Pelle nera, maschere bianche, Frantz Fanon, Edizioni ETS, 2015
e) Postcolonialismo, Achille Mbembe, Booklet Milano Editore, 2015.
Teaching methods
Lectures by the convenor (presentations integrated with power point slides and videos), discussions and debates, group and individual exercises in class.
Assessment methods and criteria
Students are expected to submit a 1,500-word blog on a current topic in one or more African countries (scored up to 3 points). Passing this practical test gives access to the oral test. Oral exam will be on the topics covered in class.
Other information
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2030 agenda goals for sustainable development
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